Sacrifice |
God knew that the sacrifice of animals was not enough to "save" man from the power of Satan. It was in His Plan to send His Son Jesus Christ as a perfect sacrifice according to the Law, and as an example of righteousness for us to follow. The virtue of the sacrifice of Jesus superseded the requirement of an animal sacrifice, and thus did away with it. He is the Saviour of ALL men, but especially of those that believe in Him and His sacrifice for their sins (Hebrews 10:10; 1 John 1:7; Philippians 2:10; 1 Timothy 4:10).
Jesus rose from the grave, and forty days later ascended to heaven (Acts 1:9).
During the time from the crucifixion to His return, God's great love toward mankind enables us to have forgiveness of our sins through faith in Jesus Christ (1 Peter 1:7-11; Romans 10:9). However, the hope of salvation through faith in the sacrifice of Jesus did not replace the promise of life without passing through physical death (Galatians 3:19; James 1:25; Jude 5:3; Romans 10:21) which God still held out to Israel, who will keep the former covenant of obedience (see Jeremiah 31:33).